Culinary Delights of Malta

Malta’s Culinary Delights

DAY 1 ARRIVE IN MALTA: Welcome to Malta! After clearing customs, enter the arrivals area where you will meet your transfer driver. Depart from the airport and make your way to your hotel. The remainder of your day is at leisure, to settle into the hotel and recover from the journey. This evening meet with your private guide and depart on an evening tour through the streets of Mdina, Malta’s old Capital City. Then head to De Mondion, one of Malta’s first Michelin star restaurants. This stunning restaurant, set atop Mdina’s centuries-old bastions in a 16th century palazzo, offers impressive panoramic views of the Maltese Islands. According to the Michelin Guide, this restaurant offers “the best of the island’s produce in sophisticated, classically based Mediterranean dishes which are full of flavor. After dinner, return to your hotel. (D)

DAY 2 VALLETTA EXCURSION: Valletta is Malta’s Capital City, named after Grandmaster Jean De La Valette. It was built after the Great Siege of 1565 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is often described as “a city built for gentlemen by gentlemen”. Start your tour by visiting the Malta Experience, an audio-visual show which depicts 7000 years of Maltese history. You will then visit the stunning St. John’s Co- Cathedral – the conventual church of the Order of St. John. The Cathedral is a fine example of Baroque art and architecture, including two paintings by the Italian artists Caravaggio. You will also visit Casa Rocca Piccola – a 16th- century palace in Valletta, and home of the noble Maltese family de Piro. Here, you will be treated to a Prosecco tour by a family member. During the tour, you will also discover a hidden chocolate shop and cafeteria where you will be invited to taste their delicious hot chocolate drinks with a shot of liqueur. Which flavor would you like to try: prickly pear, honey or fennel? Later this evening, enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Tonight’s restaurant is in the village of Mgarr, in the North part of the island. This restaurant is known amongst locals for providing truly authentic experience – from the ingredients in the dishes, to the wine and soft drinks offered, everything is produced locally. (B/D)

DAY 3 EXCURSION TO GOZO: After breakfast, depart for an excursion to Gozo, Malta’s sister island, and it’s just a short, 20-minute ferry ride away from the mainland. It is an island where time stood still and where traditions and customs still form part of the daily life of the locals. On Gozo you will visit the Ġgantija Temples, the earliest of the Megalithic Temples of Malta and are older than the pyramids of Egypt and one of the best-preserved prehistoric sites in the world! Then visit Cittadella, also known as the Castello. The area has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, and the site now occupied by the Cittadella is believed to have been the acropolis of the Punic-Roman city of Gaulos. Visit a local bakery for a mid-morning snack, and later visit a local winery for a tour of the winery and wine tasting session. Return to the mainland where your evening is free. (B)

DAY 4 MALTA’S HONEY: Enjoy breakfast in your hotel. Malta is well known for the honey it produces, proof of this is in the name which the Greeks gave Malta – they called the islands “Melite” which derives from the Greek word “meli” meaning honey. When walking through the countryside, one can still find Punic (264 BC – 146 BC) apiaries scattered around. One apiary found in Xemxija, is believed to be one of the oldest apiaries in the world. The Maltese Honeybee is endemic to the Islands and has been identified as different from other Mediterranean bees. The local bees are smaller in size, dark in color, and have no yellow bands; they are also very resistant to diseases and highly active. Today you will visit some of the historic beekeeping sites, where a local beekeeper will explain the past beekeeping methods, and the similarities and differences with current beekeeping methods. For dinner, head to the medieval village of Qormi. The restaurant, housed in an old milling factory built by the Knights of St. John, mixes traditional local cuisine with the art of slow cooking. Service staff are dressed in traditional local costume, whilst meals are served in a rustic, family-style – in pots and pans in the middle of the table. (B/D)

DAY 5 FARM TO TABLE COOKING CLASS: After breakfast, depart to visit 600 acres of farmland. Here you will learn how to choose the best seasonal products, how to harvest these ingredients to be used during your cooking class. Find inspiration and learn simple, effective techniques, recipes, and skills to make the most of fresh, seasonal ingredients and change the way you cook forever. From complete beginners to the most proficient home cooks, your classes include practical and demonstration cookery sessions. Today’s dinner will take us to the fishing village of Marsaxlokk. This family-run restaurant, specializing in seafood dishes, prides itself in offering a menu that uses the freshest local ingredients to create traditional local dishes with an international twist. (B/L/D)

DAY 6 DEPART MALTA: After breakfast, transfer to Malta International Airport for your homebound flight. (B)

Customize to Suit

The above suggested itinerary can be customized to suit; more or less meals, different cities and/or sightseeing based on your clients’ interests.  You name it, our expert group specialist professionals will put it together for you. Please call 1-800-818-8455, or simply complete the group request form, and we’ll get back to you with your proposal.

Inclusions

• 5 nights, 4-or 5-Star Hotel
• Breakfast daily, except day of arrival
• 4 Dinners, including drinks
• Farm-to-Table Cooking Class
• Services of an English-speaking local travel expert
• Travel by private, luxury, air-conditioned mini-coach
• Sightseeing, special features and scenic highlights as indicated in the itinerary, including admission charges
• Portfolio of travel documents
• 24-hour emergency customer service while in Malta

Private Departures